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Cool Cat Teacher Talk

Cool Cat Teacher Talk

By: Vicki Davis Cool Cat Teacher
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Want to supercharge your teaching with research-backed strategies that actually work? Join veteran educator Vicki Davis as she shares practical, real-world solutions to into spaces where every student thrives. Help and Hope for Teachers 🎙 Are you striving to improve student learning without increasing your workload? Education is changing fast, but practical, research-backed strategies can help you work smarter, not harder. Join veteran educator Vicki Davis, a full-time teacher, instructional technology coach, and award-winning podcast host, as she shares real-world insights from the classroom. Each 1-hour episode features top researchers, expert educators, and classroom teachers who are tackling today’s biggest challenges—like student engagement, AI in education, classroom management, lesson planning, and teacher burnout. ✨ What You’ll Get in Every Episode: 🎯 Cut through the AI hype—learn what works (and what doesn’t) in real classrooms 📚 Engage students in meaningful ways without overwhelming yourself 🚀 Stay ahead in teaching with research-backed strategies that make an impact 🎤 This show is a blend of expert interviews and solo discussions, designed to give you real, actionable solutions you can use tomorrow. 🏆 Why Listen to This Podcast? ✅ Named Top Podcast Host in Education (Bammy Award) ✅ Recognized as a Top Global Edruptor (ICS Research, 2022 & 2023) ✅ 23-year classroom veteran & instructional tech coach helping educators from K-3 to college ✅ AP Computer Science Principles teacher with a 100% student pass rate 🌎 Join thousands of educators worldwide who trust Cool Cat Teacher Talk for authentic insights, inspiration, and practical strategies. 📅 New episodes released every Thursday! 📲 Subscribe now & leave a review to help more teachers discover the show. 🌐 Get show notes & connect with Vicki at coolcatteacher.com Join a community of passionate teachers, instructional coaches, and school leaders who believe in teaching smarter, not harder. About Your Host: Vicki Davis is a practicing classroom teacher, instructional technology coach, and creator of the award-winning 10-Minute Teacher Podcast. With over 7 million downloads and 20+ years of experience, she brings you tested strategies that help students thrive. 🔹 New episodes drop Thursdays! Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. 📌 Get full show notes and resources at coolcatteacher.com.2025
Episodes
  • Expert IEP and RTI Strategies You Need to Know
    Jun 24 2025

    Learn how to master Response to Intervention (RTI) and the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process to help every child succeed. RTI is a proven framework for providing targeted support to students who struggle, while IEPs are personalized plans designed to meet the unique educational needs of students with disabilities. In this episode, we explore strategies and actionable insights to optimize these essential tools, empowering teachers, parents, and administrators to support diverse learners effectively.

    What You'll Learn about IEP's, RTI and reaching every child:

    • 📘 IEP Essentials: Discover the key components of creating effective IEPs, from measurable goals to collaborative planning.
    • 📊 RTI Strategies: Learn how to implement RTI correctly to provide tiered support for every student.
    • 🤝 Collaboration: Explore how parents, educators, and students can work together to overcome challenges and foster success.
    • 🎓 Student Motivation: Hear a powerful story of resilience, perseverance, and the effort required to thrive academically from a former NBA player who is now working to inspire kids.

    Special Guest EXPERTS:

    1. Mike Mattos: Co-creator of the RTI at Work™ model, offering expert advice on systematic interventions that truly support student learning.
    2. Stephanie DeLussey: Special education veteran and author of The Intentional IEP, sharing her wisdom on how to craft IEPs that empower students and involve parents.
    3. Dean Tolson: Former NBA player who overcame illiteracy to earn a master’s degree, inspiring students to value education and effort.
    Why This Episode Matters

    As educators and parents, our goal is to ensure that every child learns and reaches their full potential. This episode sheds light on:

    • RTI’s Correct Use: Avoid common mistakes and learn how to implement RTI as a tool for early intervention rather than a bureaucratic hurdle.
    • Effective IEP Planning: Understand how to build IEPs that address individual student needs and align with measurable academic goals.
    • Student Success Stories: Be inspired by a real life example of a student who overcome the odds as an adult to encourage the effort kids need to have to successfully learn (even if they are a world class athlete.)

    Show notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/talklearning

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    58 mins
  • 30 Hot 2025 AI/Tech Wins + Hormone-Smart Weight Loss for Teachers
    Jun 20 2025
    This jam-packed episode covers 15 cutting-edge AI tools, 15 critical education headlines, plus essential wellness strategies specifically for busy teachers. What You'll Learn in This Episode AI Tools That Actually Matter for Your Classroom: Google Gemini's new video parsing and camera sharing featuresPerplexity Labs for teaching transparent AI researchClaude Opus 4's breakthrough coding capabilitiesNotebookLM mobile app that helped my students ace their finals Critical Cybersecurity Updates: FBI warnings about AI voice scammers targeting familiesEssential vocabulary: smishing, vishing, LOTS attacks, deepfakesHow to protect your students and establish family safety protocols Education Headlines Shaping Our Future: Why blue books are making a comeback due to AI cheatingStudents AI-checking their professors (and what this means for academic integrity)Job market predictions and why AI literacy is now essentialResearch showing AI can actually promote higher-order thinking when used correctly Educator Wellness with Jennifer Edwards: Why weight loss gets harder after 40 (it's not your imagination!)Evidence-based nutrition strategies for busy teachersThe 80-20 rule for handling faculty room treatsMeal planning systems that actually work during the school year Research-Based Insights: Stanford findings on "productive struggle" vs. quick AI solutionsWhy taking breaks every 60-90 minutes improves cognitive performanceHow AI integration should enhance, not replace, human connection in learning Featured Expert Jennifer Edwards, Certified Nutrition Coach and Founder of Body Balance Nutrition, specializes in helping women over 40 navigate hormonal changes and sustainable weight management. She's offering a free coaching session for podcast listeners who mention this show. Key Takeaways AI literacy and ethics education are now essential life skillsCybersecurity vocabulary is critical for student safetyEducator wellness directly impacts student successTechnology should enhance, not replace, human connectionRest and reflection are necessary for optimal learning Links and Resources Complete Show Notes: AI tools and cybersecurity details: coolcatteacher.com/e904Full episode blog post with Jennifer Edwards interview and research citations: Look for "Season 3 Premiere: AI Updates, Cybersecurity Essentials, and Educator Wellness" on the Cool Cat Teacher blog at www.coolcatteacher.com/talkhealth Connect with Jennifer Edwards: Website: bodybalancenutritioncoach.comMention this podcast for a free coaching session Where to Listen/Watch Radio: WDJY FM 99.1 Atlanta, Wednesdays at 4pmTV: Fairfax Public Access Channel 10, Pacific Coast TV San Francisco, PAC 8 New Mexico Channel 8YouTube: Thursdays at 7pm Podcasts: Search "Cool Cat Teacher Talk" wherever you listen Next Week: ISTE 2025 highlights and breakthrough classroom technologies—whether you attended or not, you'll want to hear about the innovations shaping education's future.
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    58 mins
  • Struggling with Classroom Management? 8 Time Tested Tips
    Jun 17 2025

    In today's episode we will share eight tips and two books to help improve classroom management. Michelle Singh will talk about what happens if you feel like you're not engaged as a teacher and what to do about it. Then, Andrew Vanden Heuvel will share how he uses Fortnite Creative to teach physics and resources you can use.

    The show notes are at www.coolcatteacher.com/talkclassroommanagement

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    58 mins
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